Why the over at 222.5 looks appealing as depleted Magic and Raptors meet without their stars

The NBA is loaded with action tonight, and we have some great games ahead of us. It has been an interesting start to the season, but there have also been some lowlights.

There have already been a lot of injuries around the league, and even with the season just starting, we are getting guys sitting out for rest purposes. Even though it is frustrating, I guess I can understand it. They want to extend the careers of players and keep them healthier, if possible, for the playoffs instead of a random October game. I'm locked in on a game tonight between the Magic and Raptors.

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The Orlando Magic eventually need to take the next step forward. There were high expectations for this team last season because they traded for Desmond Bane, and they looked like they would finally advance.

They ended up barely getting into the playoffs. It was an interesting series because Orlando was up 3-1 in the series and lost the final three games to lose the series. In their final home game of the year, they scored just 19 points in the second half, including only eight points in the fourth quarter.

They fired their coach in hopes of getting some new voices in the locker room. So far, the team is 1-2 for the season, and their star, Paolo Banchero, is out for tonight's game and most of November. Jalen Suggs is also out for tonight's game, so that brings the team down two starters. Anthony Black could be back tonight, and he is a difference-maker if he is available. If he is out, this team is going to struggle. That means the offense will flow through Franz Wagner.

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The Toronto Raptors are 2-1 for their season, and they are also looking to take the next step forward. Toronto went out and traded for Kawhi Leonard so that the team had a superstar to lead them. No one should be surprised; Leonard is out with an injury for most of November. The trade for Leonard did give them a guy who is a true difference-maker when he is available. However, when he isn't, the team does lose a bit of depth.

In their first game of the season, they absolutely demolished the Bulls. They went to Washington for their second game and took down the Wizards. In the third game of the year, they traveled to Minnesota. The Raptors did not have Leonard for this game, and they were rocked by the Timberwolves. This isn't to say the Raptors have no one if Leonard is out. They have plenty of decent players, and the team made the postseason last year behind Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes.

Looking at the game, I think the Magic are live dogs here, but I wouldn't necessarily back them.

Toronto tends to play better basketball at home than on the road. Orlando is not a fast-paced team, but they might be quicker without Banchero on the floor. The Raptors probably will play a bit faster without Leonard out there. I'm going to take the over in this one.

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At 222.5, the teams should be able to get solid looks at the basket, and I think the offenses will be better than the defense.

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